Journalists from the BBC’s Arabic Service are set to start a 48 hour strike today in protest at changes to staff rotas which they claim are unworkable.

Members of the National Union of Journalists proposed their walkout after balloting in favour of strike action last week over changes they believe will cause unnecessary disruption and increase stress levels.

The ballot results showed that 64 (89 per cent) of the 72 that took part were in favour of strike action.